Plug valve



Feb. 8, 1944 w w so 2,341,255

PLUG VALVE Filed June 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTOIZIGIEYS Feb. 8, 1944. w.' s; WILSON PLUG VALVE Filed June 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

INVENTOR Wylie 6 fl Z'ZJWZ ATTORNEY;

Feb. 8, 1944. w. a. W ILSQN 2,341,255

PLUG VALVE Filed June 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 e mm ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1944. w. 6. WILSON PLUG VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 5, 1941 n mm wxww ww mwm, NNNQ \kwm M Patented Feb. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLUG VALVE Wylie G. Wilson, Elizabeth N. .L, assignor to Everlasting Valve Company, Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 5, 1941, Serial No. 396,710

11 Claims. Thi invention relates to improvements in valves-and mose particularly to improvements in valves of the type known to the art as plug valves.

An object of the present invention is to provide a. valve structure and operating mechanism of such character that a continuous movement of an operating member in a selected direction causes axial movement of the plug, rotation thereofand reversal axial movement in sequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism for a plug valve of such character that the sequential movements of the plug occur one in the absence of the other.

- Another object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism as before defined, in which the axial movement of the plug is accomplished without rotary movement thereof and rotary movement is accomplished without axial movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism as before defined of such character that positive means are provided for assuring movement of one type of the plug without the accompaniment of movement of the other type thereofl A further object of the invention is to provide valve operating mechanism of such character that rotation of a crank like member in inter: mittent fashion and in a single direction causes axial m'ovement of the plug in one direction and then reverse axial movement thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide operating mechanism for a plug valve as justdescribed in which means are provided for rotating "the plug in the interval between the periods of axial movement thereof.v

A still further object of the invention is to provide operating-mechanism for a plug valve of such character that three sets of mutilated gears or gear sectors are caused to operate in such sequence as to accomplish the purposes set forth hereinbefore.

In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of theinventi'onin each form thereof, use is made of a valve made up of a casing and a sealing member (preferably aplug) therein, which plug member has a through opening adapted to be aligned with the openings in the valv casing. In one form of the invention, use is made of a crank actuating member for imparting axial movement tothe plug so that rotation thereof can be facilitated without incurring the usual wear attending upon rotating a plug while lflrmly seated. In this form of the invention the stem of the plug passes through asleeve in which thestemis free to rotate but in which axial movement between the stem and the sleeve is prevented. The sleeve is threaded into apart.

of the supporting structure of the valve framework so that rotation of the sleeve in one direction will cause axial movement of the stem in. one direction While arotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction will cause a reverse axial movement of the stem. The rotary movement of the. sleeve is accomplished by a connecting rod secured atone end to the sleeve and at the other end to a crank member. This crank member. is so geared to an operatingor drive shaft as to cause it to be rotated intermittently in such fashion as to rotate the sleeve through an arc of predetermined extent and then rotate in ree verse direction through the same arc. The valve stem has a mutilated gear or gear sector thereon in mesh with a pinion onthe drive shaft before mentioned and the relation between the pinion and the mutilated gear is such that rotary movement from the drive shaft is transmitted to the stem during a selected part of the path of move ment of the operating shaft. 1 I The two pinions on the drive shaft and the two gears associated therewith are so formed that a continuous movement of the drive shaft through the agency of a handle or lever will cause first axial movement of the stem, then rotary movement thereof and finally reverse axial movement;

of the stem;

In anotherform of the invention, use is made of a valve stem passing through a sleeve which has a; mutilated gear or gear sector on one end thereof. This sleeve is externally threaded and fits within a second internally'threaded sleeve which isso secured in the supporting structure of the valve as to be capable only of rotary movement. Such movement also is the only movement; relative to the first sleeve, of which the valve stem is capable. The internally threaded sleeve has a mutilated gear or gear sector on one end thereof. A third mutilated gear or gear sector is secured to the upper end of the valveste'm so that rotation ofthis gear will cause rotation of the stem; An operating shaft on the line of Fig. 3, showing part of the operating mechanism associated with the plug;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 and showing another partof the operating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view oft he'valve struc ture;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the manner in which gears utilized in the invention are associated.

-Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive are diagrammatic illustrations of the various positions assumed by the gears during operation of the operating mechanisrn: V i I Fig. 9 is avertical section taken substantially onthe line 9- -9 of Fig. 10 and showing a modified" form of operating mechanism;

Fig. l0 is a top or plan view of the valve of this modification, and

Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive are diagrammatic illustrations of thevarious positions assumed by the sets of gears during a cycle of operation of the valve. Y

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly toFigs. 1 to 3 inclusive, |Il indicates generally a valve casing having openin s H and I2 therein for the passage of fluid. The valve casing is shaped to provide a seat for a tapered plug I4 which has an opening l5 extending diametrically therethrough in such manner that the opening I5 can be brought into'register with the openings II and I2. The upper part of valve casing in has a flange l6 and is hollowed out at I1 to receive a bonnet I8 extending into the hollowed out part. Packing ring I9 is positioned between flange l5 and a flange 2|! on the bonnet and bolts 2| passing through these two flanges are util zed in conjunction with nuts 2| to secure the bonnet to the casing. The bonnet l8 has a tubular part 22 attached to the main part thereof by webs 24. The tubular part2. is bored for the passage of plug or valve stem 23 and part 22 is partially counterbored and internally t readed for the reception of packing material 25 compressed by a compression memher 26 threaded into the counterbored part.

. Secured to the top of the bonnet I8 is a supporting structure indicated. generally at 21 which structure is secured to the bonnet by suitable bolts and nuts I21 not shown in Fig. l. The structure 21 is provided with an opening threaded as at 28 in register with'the tubular member 22. A sleeve 29 is externally threaded for engagement with the threads 28.

The valve s'tem 23 which passes through the tubular part 22- ofthe bonnet and through the stuffing box assoc ated therewith also passes through sleeve 29. A ring or shoulder 30 at one end of sleeve 29 cooperates with another ring or shoulder 3| at the other end of this sleeve to prevent axial movement of the stem 23 relative to the sleeve. The upper end of stem 23 is journalle'din a plate 32 secured in spaced relation to'th structure 2! by spacer rods 34-passing v ears.

I the crank 4 I.

through suitable openings in the plate and the structure and held by nuts 34.

The structure 21 is provided with an enlarged and extended boss 35 having a through aperture for the passage of a drive shaft 36, the upper end of which extends through a boss 31 in plate 32. A handle 38 is fixedly secured to the upper end of drive shaft 39. Extending from a part of plate 32 is an elongated-bees 39 ape'rtured for the passage of a crank shaft 40, having a crank 4| on the lower end thereof. Anut 42 is threaded on to the upper end of the crank shaft 40.

The sleeve 29 is provided with two spaced ears 44 apertured for the passage of a pin 45 w ich holds one end of a connecting rod 46 to these The other end of connecting rod 46 is secured to a pin 4'! extending downwardly from Immediately above crank 4| is a gear 48.

A pinion I48 is keyed on the drive shaft 36 and this pinion I48 is of-mutilated character in that it is provided with teethonlyin a portion of the periphery thereof, which teeth can mesh with the teeth of gear 48.

-A mutilated-gear or gear sector 49 is keyed to the stem 23 while a companion mutilated pinion gear or gear sector I49 is keyed to the drive shaft 36. Gear 49 as shown in Fig. 5 has teeth only over a relatively short arc of its periphery and at the termination of these teeth the gear is provided with'arcuate shaped stops 59. The extreme teeth of this gear are of reduced-height so that a circular part 5| of the mutilated pinion I49 can pass thereunder and engage the stops 50. Pinion 149 as shown is provided also with teeth in an arc of relatively short length.

The use and operation of this mechanism is substantially as follows. Let it be assumed that the plug is in closed position, that is, in a position in which the opening |5 thereof is at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 1.- In this position the companion gears and other apparatus bear substantially the relations shown in Fig. 5 wherein it will be seen that the teeth of pinion I48 are in mesh with the teeth of gear passages I| and-l2, the handle 38 is rotated counterclockwise from the dotted line position" of Fig. 3 to the full line position thereof. .As a result of the initiation of such counterclockwise movement it will be seen that the drive shaft 36 is rotated also counterclockwise thereby rotating pinions I48 and I49 in the same direction. Rotation of pinion I48 causes a clock-:

wise rotation of gear 48 and consequently of crank 4| moving the connecting rod 48 from the Fig. 5 position to a mid-point position resembling dead center as shown in Fig. 6. This rota-- tion of the crank and movement of the connect: ing rod causes a rotation of sleeve 29, which be ing threaded into the structure 21 is caused to move upwardly carrying the stem 23 along with it and consequently lifting plug l4 and breaking:

the seal of this plug with its seat. During this initial movement or until the crank reaches its mid-position, the gear 49 remains locked due to the engagement betweemthe:partswfillrand 51;;801 that the stem is locked-againstrrotationh At the moment the connectingarodlreaches. its midspoint position: (Fig- 6) thertaeth. ofpinion M8 are. in: condition. to; move:- out. of". meshawith: the teeth of. gear 48: At the same time: the teeth of pinion I49 are in position to; move; intomesh with the teeth of gear' lil. As. movement of the handle 38 is continued the next phase .of ope'n ationof the mechanism isv accomplished; thatv is, thegear 49 is rotated by pinion; Hi9; until the part engages the previouslyun'engaged stop 50.- of the stem 23' through an angle of: approximately 90 thereby moving the. plug from. a closed: to open position while the plug is elevated. During" the movement of the stem 23 no axial, movement thereof is accomplished since the connecting rod is at its mid-point positionresembling. dead: centensoqthat even though triction exists: between the. stem and-sleeve 29 such-friction; cannotxim part rotation togear 48. WhfinfihiSsrOtHlfY movement of the plug hasbeen. accomplishedthe opera ating, parts are substantially in. the; position" shown in Fig. 7 wherein it. will. be seenpthati gear 49 is again, lockedagainst movement While-pinion. [48a is about to come intomesh with, the teeth of gear 48.

The final movement Of the handle 38 incompleting this unidirectional movement causes. the teeth of pinion l d-8, now in mesh'with the teeth of gear 48, to rotate. this latter. gear; still. in clockwise manner; until the connecting red assumes a- Fig. 8- position. This: movement of the connecting rod from theFig. 7 to the Figzfiposition amounts to a reversal in the rotation of sleeve" 29- causing it tobe? moved downwardly and to carry the stem: 23 along: with into: again. seatqthe plug in its seat. The: parts as; shown. in Fig 8 illustrate" the position, of these parts:- when the valve is in theFig. 1 position.

- When it is desired to.- reversethe valve, that is. moveit from open to closed position, it is necessary merely to move the handle 38: clock wise from full line position of Fig. 1 to' dotted line position thereof. Such movement accomplishes a reversal of that described previously sofar as the operatin parts are concerned but again the results are the same, namely, the plug is first moved axially upwardly without rotary movement, is then rotated Without axial.move-- ment and is finally moved axially in reverse direction to reseat the plug;

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 9-and 10 the valve casing-I0 and the bonnet 1B are constructed inthe same manner as previ-= ously described so thatthe samereference characters have been applied to the corresponding parts. The supporting structure, however, of this modification is different from that of Fig. 1 and the operatingparts likewise are different. To the top of. the bonnet I8 is secured a supporting structure-6.0 made of two parts which can be fastened together by bolt and nut assemblies fil (Fig. 10) Again. use is made. of? a top plate?- 62' supported by the structure 6!! and spaced therefrom by space bars 64 held in place by nuts 64. The'purpose of making the part 58 in two parts or of split formation is to permit the mounting of asleeve 19 having. upper and lower flanges fitting against the top and bottom surfaces of' a ring like formationv II in the supporting structure. Engagement between. these upper. and lower flanges. andthe' ring H limits the sleeve ill to: The sleeve. 10 iszAinternallyrotary movement.

This rotation of. gear 49 causes a. rotation threadedto be; engaged by the; external. threads of; a second. sleeve. 12- through which the stem- 23tpasses; Thepart 6-0. and the plate. 62 are. pro.- vided with aligned openings in which is journalled a drive-shaft 15 having a handle 16- keyed to thetopthereof and fastenedthereto.

The-upper end of sleeve 10 is shaped in the form of a mutilated gear 11 of the shape shown in: Fig. 11, in that itis provided with teeth extendingthrough a relatively short are on its pe-: riphery andisprovided with, an arcuate shaped stop 18 at one end of the row'of teeth. Associated with the gear 11 is a companion. pinion: I'll also-in the form of a mutilated gearhav-ing. teeth extending through a short are therearound andhaving. a circular. part 79. Pinion. I11. is. keyedto thedriveshaft l5. Formed; on, orotherwise secured.to,- the-top of the second sleeve. 12 is; asecond mutilated gearv Bil-shaped in the mannerof the gear 11 butwithfa stop 8! positioned. at the opposite end of. the row. of teeth. Asso ciated. with the gear 80. isa pinion. Hill. keyedto drive shaft 15 and shaped substantially. in thesame. fashion as the pinion-I11. Keyed, to. the,

. stem.23 is a gear 84 alsoof mutilatedfashionand having a journal part 85 extending. through the plate 62'. A, nuttfi threaded. on the end of. the stem locks the stem to the gear against relative axial movement. The gear 84 anda ring. or shoulder 81 act to limit the stem 23 to rotary movement relativev to the inner sleeve 12. A pinion !64 cooperates with the gear. 84 and this. pinion is shaped substantially in the same fashion as pinions Ill and..l80. The gear 84 differs from the gear H. and 81!. in that it is provided with two stops 88 instead of a singlestop.

The operation and use of this mechanism. is substantially as. follows. Again let itbe. assumed. that the plug is in the closed positionor in a position at 90.'to that shown in Fig. 1. The relation between various gears and their companion pinions under these conditions is shown in Fig. 11 wherein it will be seen that the. gear 8 1, keyed to the valve stem,. is locked against movement by. contact between the circular part of pinion I84. and one of the stops 38. At the. same time, the

gear is locked against movement by contact,

between the circular part of pinion I80, and the stop 8i. The teeth. of pinion, I1! are. in mesh with the teeth of gear TI; The operating handle under these conditions will be in. the dottedv line position of Fig. 10. When it is desired to open the valve the operating handle. 76 is rotated counterclockwise from the dotted line position. to the fullline position of Fig. 10 causinga consequent counterclockwise rotation of the drive shaft l5 and pinions I'll, i611 and I84. 7

During the first part of such movement of the handle l'fi'rotation of pinion IT! in the direction shown by arrows in Fig; 11' causes a rotation of gear 11- secured to the outer sleeve 10. Since this outer-sleeve Tilisheld against axial movement,.it follows that its rotation causes an upwardmovement' oithe inner sleeve F2 in threaded engagement therewith. The upward movement of this inner sleeve is assured dueto th fact that the gear 88 on the upper end thereof is locked against, rotation. Upward movement of inner, sleeve 12 causes an upward axial movement of the stem 23 ing'parts at'the completion of this-axial movement are shown in Fig; 12 wherein it will be seen thatthe circular part "19 of pinion IT! is in engagement with the stop 18 of gear I7 thereby looking this gear against rotation. At the same time the teeth of pinion I84 are at a positon in which meshing of its'teeth with those of gear 84 is about to be accomplished. The gear 80'is still locked against movement in the manner shown in Fig. 12.

Continued movement of the handle results in pinion I 84 causing rotation of gear 84 while gears 80 and TI are locked. Rotation of gear 84 causes rotation of stem I4 and this rotation is continued through an angle of 90 moving the plug, while elevated, to the open position thereof. The relation of the parts at the conclusion of this stem rotation phase of operation is shown in Fig. 13 wherein it will be seen that gear 11 is still locked by pinion I11 while gear 84 has been locked by the circular part of pinion I84. At this time the teeth of pinion lBll are in position to become enmeshed with the teeth of gear 80.

As the final degree of movement of the handle is accomplished, all three pinions are still ro tated in the same direction but only one of the gears is moved by its pinion, namely gear 80 is moved by pinion I80 causing a rotation of the inner sleeve 12, which rotation, due to the locking Of sleeve by gear 11, moves the sleeve 12 in rotary fashion and downwardly. The downward movement is assured by the threaded engagement between the inner and outer sleeves. Since gear 84 is located against rotation, it follows that rotary and downward axial movement of sleeve I2 carries the stem 23 downwardly in an axial direction reseating the plug. The valve can be closed by moving the handle in reverse direction, causing a reversal in the steps of operation of the gears and pinions, but again with the same sequence of stem and plug movement.

The gears and pinions of both forms of the invention are so shaped that where necessary a gear can move longitudinally relative to its pinion, which is held against such movement. By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the gear G (representing any of the proper gears before described) is capable of limited longitudinal movement relative to the companion pinion P without disturbing the operating relations therebetween.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention in either form illustrated and described, provides new, simple and efficient mechanism for the operation of a plug valve. The mechanism makes use of a minimum of parts which are of such design as to possess the rugged characteristics desirable in a valve of this charactor. The operating mechanism is of the utmost simplicity and possesses extremely satisfactory operating efficiency. In either form of the invention the operation of the parts thereof either for opening or closing the plug valve assures first axial movementof the plug without rotary movement thereof, rotation of the plug without axial movement and then reverse axial movement without rotation so that it follows that turning of the plug is accomplished without endangering the normally contacting surfaces of the plug and of its seat. While the sealing element has been described and illustrated as comprising a tapered plug, it will be evident that the operating mechanism can be used equally well with other types of sealing elements.

-It is to be understood that the invention is capable of modification beyond the illustrated embodiments, in view of which such limitations as are to be imposed thereon are only those set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

I 1. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending'fromsaid casing, an operating member above said casing, a sleeve surrounding said stem and mounted-for rotation and axial movement, any movement of said sleeve causing axial movement of the stem, and connections between said operating member and said sleeve and said stem, whereby selectedunidirectional movement of said operating mem'- ber causes sequential axial movement of said stem without rotation thereof, rotation of said stem without axial movement thereof, and reverse axial movement of the stem without rotation thereof.

2. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, an operating member mounted above said casing, a sleeve mounted for rotation and axial movement, said sleeve being so related to saidstem that any movement thereof causes axial movement of the stem, and connections betweensaid operating member and said stem, whereby selected unidirectional movement of said operating member causes sequential axial movement of said stem, rotation of said stem. and reverse axialmovement of the stem, said connections operating to lock said stem against movement of one type during movement of the other type.

- 3. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, an operating member, a sleeve member surrounding said stem and movable to impart axial movement to said stem, a crank operatively connected to said operating member for intermittent rotation thereby during continuous movement of said operating member in either of its directions of movement, a connecting 'rod between said crank and said sleeve whereby rotation of said crank causes axial movement of said sleeve, and a connection between said operating member and said stem for imparting rotation to said stem.

4. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, an operating member, a sleeve member surrounding said stem and movable to impart axial movement to said stem, a crank operatively connected to said operating member for rotation thereby at spaced intervals during continuous movement of said operating member in either of its directions of movement, a connecting rod between said crank and said sleeve whereby rotation of said crank causes axial movement of said sleeve, and a connection between said operating member and said stem for imparting rotation to said stem, said connection being operable during the interval between rotations of said crank.

5. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, an operating member, a sleeve member surrounding said stem and movable to impart axial movement to said stem, a crank, connections between said operating member and said crank for imparting rotation thereto at spaced intervals during continuous movement of said operating member in either of its directions of movement, a connecting rod between said crank and said sleeve whereby rotation of said crank causes axial movement of said sleeve, and a connection between said operating member and said stem for imparting rotation to said stem, said connections being operable during selected uni-' directional movement of the operating member to cause axial movement of the stem, rotation thereof, and reverse axial movement thereof in sequence.

6. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, an operating member, a sleeve member surrounding said stem and movable to impart axial movement only to said stem, a crank connected to said sleeve whereby selected unidirectional rotation of said crank causes axial reciprocation of said stem, a connection between said operating member and said stem for imparting rotation to said stem, and a connection between said operating member and said crank for rotating said crank only before and after rotation of said stem.

'7. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said. valve extending from said casing, an operating member, a sleeve member surrounding said stem and movable to impart axial movement to said stem, a crank operatively connected to said sleeve whereby rotation of said crank causes axial forward and reverse movement of said stem, a connection between said operating member and said stem for imparting rotation to said stem, and a connection between said operating member and said crank operable to rotate said crank at spaced intervals during continuous movement of said operating member in either of its directions of movement, whereby selected unidirectional movement of the operating member causes axial movement of the stem, rotation thereof, and reverse axial movement thereof in sequence.

8. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, inner and outer sleeves in threaded relation, the outer sleeve being confined to rotary movement, said stem passing through the inner sleeve and being confined to rotary movement relative thereto, an operating member, connections between said operating member and said inner and outer sleeves and said stem whereby selected unidirectional rotation of said operating member causes sequential axial movement of said stem, rotation thereof and reverse axial movement thereof.

9. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, inner and outer sleeves in threaded relation, the outer sleeve being confined to rotary movement, said stem passing through the inner sleeve and being confined to rotary movement relative thereto, an operating member, connec-. tions between said operating member and said inner and outer sleeves and said stem whereby selected unidirectional rotation of said operating member causes sequential rotation of the outer sleeve to move said stem axially, rotation of said stem, and rotation of said inner sleeve to move said stem axially in reverse direction.

10. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, inner and outer sleeves in threaded relation, the outer sleeve being confined to rotary movement, said stem passing through the inner sleeve and being confined to rotary movement relative thereto, an operating member, pinions on said operating member, and companion gears on said inner and outer sleeves and said stem whereby selected unidirectional rotation of said operating member causes sequential axial movement of said stem, rotation thereof and reverse axial movement thereof, said companion pinions and gears locking the stem against movement of one type during movement of the other type.

11. A valve of the type described comprising a casing, a stem for said valve extending from said casing, inner and outer sleeves in threaded relation, the outer sleeve being confined to rotary movement, said stem passing through the inner sleeve and being confined to rotary movement relative thereto, an operating member, companion sets of pinion and gear connections between said operating member and said inner and outer sleeves and said stem whereby selected unidirectional rotation of said operating member causes sequential rotation of the outer sleeve with attendant axial movement of the inner sleeve and stem, then rotation alone of the stem, and finally rotation of the inner sleeve with attendant axial movement of said inner sleeve and stem in reverse direction.

WYLIE G. WILSON. 

